Soap opera alum Jay Bontatibus passed away on February 12 in Los Angeles, surrounded by family. The 52-year-old actor had fought a lengthy battle with cancer.
Bontatibus first became part of the soap community when he landed the role of Russell Boyd on Another World in 1996. He later went on to appear as Antonio Viscardi on The Young and the Restless from 1998 to 2000. More recently, Bontatibus played Andy Capelli on both Port Charles and General Hospital in 2001 and 2004 and Rob McCullough on Days of our Lives in 2008.
In another soap connection, Bontatibus was once married to Marnie Saitta, who served as casting director at Y&R and is now in the same position at DAYS.
"The family would like express their gratitude to the fans for the love and support they have shown for Jay during this time," Soap Opera Digest shared when first reporting the news of Bontatibus' passing.
"In loving memory of my buddy, Jay Bontatibus. I am a grateful that I had the chance to get to know this strong, gentle, and kind heart," Y&R alum Scott Reeves (ex-Ryan McNeil) shared on Facebook. "Jay was a caring person, a good friend, and anyone who had the privilege of being around Jay at all is better because of it. It breaks my heart that he had to go so soon. Don't take one second for granted on this earth.
"yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." James 4:14-15
"It's with an incredibly heavy heart I post this," Brody Hutzler (ex-Cody Dixon, Y&R; ex-Patrick Lockhart, DAYS) added. "My friend and colleague Jay Bontatibus lost his battle...We talked about his recovery, he was so f'ing positive. I am distraught and speechless... Great memories. Love you man. I think of you often."
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